While first-round picks were being thrown around at the trade deadline, the New York Rangers were able to hang onto theirs and land pending free agent Andrew Copp for a package of other pieces. While one of those could be upgraded to a first if they find immediate playoff success, it certainly seems so far like they got a bargain from the Winnipeg Jets. Copp has fit right in alongside Artemi Panarin and has eight goals and 18 points in 16 games with the Rangers, including a hat trick against the rival New York Islanders.
All of that makes it easy to understand why the Rangers will try to do everything in their power to retain Copp’s services past this season. Darren Dreger explained the situation on TSN’s Insider Trading last night, indicating that the team “will push hard” to extend him before he hits the open market this summer. Our John Gilroy recently looked at some comparables, including the six-year, $30MM contract that Jean-Gabriel Pageau signed with the Islanders in 2020.
Unfortunately, Copp left a game earlier this week with a lower-body injury, and although the Rangers called it nothing more than a cautious approach to keep him out on Wednesday against the Montreal Canadiens, he was still absent from morning skate and will not play this evening against the Washington Capitals. Panarin was also missing and won’t play, though head coach Gerard Gallant did tell Mollie Walker of the New York Post that he still expects both to be ready for the playoffs.
Interestingly enough, if he does miss any time with the injury, it could actually drastically affect the Jets’ return given the conditions attached to one of the picks. Not only do the Rangers need to advance past the second round for the 2022 second-round pick to upgrade to a first, but Copp needs to play in at least 50 percent of those games.
Obviously, the Rangers are hoping to have him in the lineup, now and in the future. The 27-year-old center has already set career highs with 21 goals and 53 points this season, and could easily reach new heights in the playoffs as well. Copp has just three goals in 34 career postseason appearances.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
He’s been a great fit, but a long-term deal might make it tough for them to eventually lock up some of their younger talent. It’s going to take some clever cap-maneuvering to keep him.
And probably a below-market deal.
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